As a beauty editor, I test hundreds of ingredients every year—retinoids, exfoliating acids, and so on. While it feels wrong to have favorites, I have to admit that vitamin C is actually my desert island skincare ingredient. There’s just nothing else like it. It brightens dull skin, fades discoloration, and offers powerful anti-aging benefits. Essentially, it’s a gold standard antioxidant, meaning it disperses free radicals before they can damage skin. Why wouldn’t I want to get in on the action?
Although I have a small collection of tried-and-true vitamin C serums that I use daily, I’m always curious to see what other people are using. I’m constantly asking dermatologists, estheticians, and my colleagues for recommendations, but what about celebrities? They’re all about achieving radiant, glowing skin that’s worthy of the red carpet, so why not get their recommendations?
Luckily, I know the details on three vitamin C serums that celebs — specifically, Sydney Sweeney, Hailey Bieber, and Sabrina Carpenter — apparently use and love. Since I want my skin to look like hers and I never need an excuse to try another vitamin C serum, I decided to test them out. Only one emerged as the winner. Keep scrolling to see which one it was and why.
(PICTURE OF ALL THREE SERUM)
The experiment:
I used each serum for just over two weeks. Admittedly, that’s not very long. In fact, most experts recommend using a skincare product for one to three months before deciding if it’s right for you. However, my goal was to measure fast, visible results, so I limited each testing period to exactly 14 days.
My skin:
I have sensitive, redness-prone skin with signs of sun damage including fine lines, dark spots and discoloration. When I look in the mirror, I focus most on the dark spots and discoloration, so I was curious to see if any of the vitamin C serums would stand out as a potential solution.
As I said, the before and after pictures don’t mean much to anyone who doesn’t study my skin on a daily basis, but I could still see subtle signs that each serum was working. Okay, that’s enough context. Let’s get started, OK?
Contender No. 1: SkinCeuticals CE Ferulic
(Image credit: @sydney_sweeney)
- Vitamin C content: 15% L-ascorbic acid
- Other ingredients: Vitamin E and ferulic acid
- Advantages: iconic, expert-backed formula
- Disadvantages: expensive and can oxidize over time
In a fashion In the Beauty Secrets video, Sweeney revealed that she uses the ever-popular SkinCeuticals CE Ferulic. Loved by experts, editors, and influencers alike, this serum contains a potent blend of vitamin C, vitamin E, and ferulic acid. I know the former is a powerful antioxidant, but the other two ingredients are powerful antioxidants in their own right. Together, they fortify skin with free radical protection and enhance the brightening effects of vitamin C.
My rating
No wonder this serum faded the dark spots around my nose and cheeks. It also faded some discoloration on my neck and jawline. Most importantly, I noticed that my skin looked brighter and healthier. Instead of looking dull and tired, my skin had a built-in glow. I loved it so much that after the two-week trial period was over, I didn’t want to stop using it.
The only downside, for me at least, was the fact that it is not hermetically sealed. Vitamin C is notoriously unstable. It can oxidize and become ineffective after repeated exposure to light and air. A telltale sign of oxidation is a change in smell or color—oxidized vitamin C serums often take on an orange-brown hue. Although my serum is not oxidized, it still concerns me since a bottle of the serum retails for nearly $200.
Buy the serum
SkinCeuticals
CE Ferulic acid
Contestant #2: BeautyStat Universal C Skin Refiner
(Image credit: @haileybieber)
- Vitamin C content: 20% L-ascorbic acid
- Other ingredients: green tea, tartaric acid, squalane
- Advantages: Stable, fully effective formula and airtight pump to prevent oxidation
- Disadvantages: may irritate sensitive skin
It’s well known that Bieber loves BeautyStat’s Universal C Skin Refiner. She once called it her holy grail. Her rave review is the reason I originally tried the product, and you can read my full review here. That was a few years ago, and I’ve been using it semi-regularly ever since.
My rating
It contains a whopping 20% vitamin C, which is an incredibly high percentage compared to other serums on the market. In this case, a higher percentage of vitamin C directly correlates with effectiveness. After two weeks, I noticed a significant improvement in my dark spots and discoloration. I even noticed a very subtle improvement in the fine lines around my nose and eyes. I was impressed that it could deliver such results in such a short timeOh, and did I mention it has a stabilized formula and is packaged in an airtight container to prevent oxidation?
I would say the 20% vitamin C is a blessing and a curse. If you have sensitive skin, it might be too irritating. My skin tolerates it well until I get too much sun, use a high potency retinoid, or my moisture barrier needs help. In those cases, it can burn and sting a little and even make my redness worse. That’s something I can easily work around and avoid. I just go without it until my skin is back in tip-top shape, but that’s something to keep in mind when considering if it’s right for you.
Buy the serum
BeautyStat
Universal C Skin Refiner
Contestant #3: 111Skin Vitamin C Brightening Booster
(Image credit: @sabrinacarpenter)
- Vitamin C content: unspecified percentage of sodium ascorbyl phosphate
- Other ingredients: Diamond particles, niacinamide, licorice root, glutathione
- Advantages: Clinical grade formula and multiple brightening ingredients
- Disadvantages: expensive and requires additional serum application
In an interview with Glamour, Carpenter revealed that she uses 111Skin’s Vitamin C Brightening Booster. Up until this point, I’d never had the chance to try it, so obviously I needed to change that ASAP.
The brand doesn’t disclose the exact percentage of vitamin C in the formula, which I don’t like. However, the formula does contain a number of other brightening ingredients, including niacinamide, licorice root, and glutathione. The brand says it even contains diamond particles to exfoliate the skin and provide a deeper supply of vitamin C. This feels So Pop star code, right?
My rating
My sensitive skin loved this product. Not only did it give my skin all the benefits of a traditional vitamin C serum, but it also reduced my redness, which I found shocking. I think that’s thanks to the licorice root and niacinamide. It hydrated and plumped my skin thanks to the hyaluronic acid.
The only downside is that it’s not technically a serum. It’s more of a booster. That is, it’s meant to enhance the results of your existing serum; it’s not a replacement for it. The brand recommends using it between toner/essence and your regular serum. While I don’t mind adding an extra step to my skincare routine, I do mind buying another expensive skincare product when I’m already investing in expensive serums. Honestly, I think the results are worth it if you have wiggle room in your budget, but it’s not absolutely necessary. Again, this is just something to keep in mind when considering if this vitamin C product is right for you.
Buy the serum
111SKIN
Brightening Vitamin C Booster
The winner: BeautyStat Universal C Skin Refiner
(PICTURE OF THE WINNER)
Drum roll, please. The winner is Hailey Bieber’s favorite vitamin C serum, also known as BeautyStats Universal C Skin Refiner. As a vitamin C serum, it ticked all my boxes: it’s more affordable than the other two, has a high concentration of vitamin C, and is extremely stable. Plus, it gave my skin the most dramatic results in a two-week testing period. While it can be irritating, I just avoid using it on the days when my skin is particularly sensitive. With such a potent, skin-transforming formula, I can overlook that.
Honestly, each of these vitamin C products has improved the look of my skin. I don’t think you can make a wrong choice here. It all depends on individual skin concerns, personal preferences and budget. Personally, I will be stocking all three to satisfy my vitamin C obsession…
Shop more editor-recommended vitamin C serums
Pharmacy
10% Waterless Vitamin C Serum
I love Farmacy products and this waterless vitamin C serum is no exception.
Bliss
Bright Idea Vitamin C + Tri-Peptide Collagen Protective and Brightening Serum
I love this drugstore serum. It combines brightening vitamin C with firming peptides.
DAMNED
Citrus Glow Vitamin C & Hyaluronic Acid Serum
Vitamin C and hyaluronic acid are the ultimate brightening and hydrating combination.
Dermalogica
BioLumin-C Vitamin C Facial Serum
This vitamin C serum gives the skin a radiant glow.
innisfree
Brightening serum with green tea enzyme and vitamin C
The addition of green tea maximizes the antioxidant power of this serum.
Allies of the skin
Peptides & Antioxidants – Firming Day Care
I love this serum-moisturizer hybrid. It’s packed with skin-brightening antioxidants. I swear it has made a dramatic difference in my skin.
